There are few things cuter than the cluelessness of children. However, there are few things more tragic than an adult living a clueless life.

The last stage of marriage is that period of time when the nest is empty—either empty of the children or of one of the mates—or both. This is a critical stage in the home. All sorts of strange and unpredictable feelings transpire, and we find ourselves in need of stabilizing thoughts and direction.

In the process of being nurtured, children learn the quality of their parents’ love (security), the limits of their own liberty (maturity), and the characteristics of a healthy independence (purity).

Often we don’t meet needs because we’re too busy living our own lives. But by not helping, we miss out on God’s blessings. It’s through providing for others our lives are enriched.

Washing up for dinner is something we all learn as children. But in spiritual terms, there’s a banquet you’re invited to, which requires more than just soap and water—it takes blood.

Life is all about growing and learning. And it’s in the day-to-day living that we learn how to forgive, how to handle disappointment, and admit failure. It’s in the day-to-day struggles that we mature.

In this lesson, we will learn that encouragement is not the responsibility of a gifted few but the responsibility of the entire family of God. That means you.

We’ve all heard the old spiritual “It’s me, O Lord, Standin’ in the need of prayer.” But how many of us live this way? Judging others is a job best left to God. He alone knows our hearts and our motives; He alone is qualified to judge.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll inspires us from Hebrews 10:19–25 to faithfully and consistently give words of life to others.

You never really know who is in need of encouragement. Encouragement spurs us on; affirms us. A word of kindness, an arm around the shoulder, a note, a phone call, a random comment said in passing... genuine encouragement never fails to help.